Yolotli's glowing eyes narrowed at the corner of damaged flowers in his flower breeding area. Gophers. Again. He sighed loudly to himself. He did not have the time to plant more. Fall would be upon the Harpy flock soon enough and he needed these flowers ready like yesterday. The end of the season was the perfect time for the Whistlers to impress their ladies with a beautiful collection of flowers after all.
Yol kicked the dirt around the damaged flowers up with his hoof. He carefully pulled the flower up with his mouth to not damage the undamaged roots around the garden. A bulb plant. Maybe the gophers were trying to eat it? Maybe some Whistle stallion got too impatient at the notice of 'flowers soon'. To be the first to decorate the mares with the freshest of pristine flowers. He couldn't be too sure. He simply needed to continue his work. He started to carefully kick around another damaged plant. At least with the bulb it can rest for the coming cold and bloom again in the spring.
Yol's mind wandered as he worked. To his capture, Amarantha...The hard times that followed as he got used to his spot within the herd. How his fears had been slowly soothed. As he found his talent with flowers. The times spent in these fields working closely with Amara. Her bees, his flowers. How they bonded over their time together working in the fields.
Right, the flowers.
Yol was grateful for being allowed to work in the Artisan's guild. For allowing him to find his place in the Flock. He remembered growing his first seeds. How he had panicked and over watered them, nearly rotting the roots. It took a few others talking him down from the panic attack he was having, thinking of all the horrible things that could happen to him in his mind. He was still so fresh in the flock he was still positive the clawed ladies were going to tear his wings off for failing such a simple task. It was embarrassing to think about now.
He had grown so much. He was comfortable. Happy. He loved what he did. He learned the joy of watching his sweat, tears, hard work bloom into beautiful flowers. To watch the joy on the harpies' faces as their Whistler or Pet presented the flowers. The sight of the Dancers covered in blooms dance in night...There was magic to his job.
Then there was the cross breeding. Carefully picking out the traits he was looking for, the delicate task of pollinating stigma with a brush. The collection of the new seeds and the wait to see the new plant develop...Tasks not many thought about but it was his life. Working with Amarantha's bees helped his process. They created new colours, longer lasting plants, their own personal beautiful magical dance under the summer sun.
"You done daydreaming about your Wifey there magical flower man? Or am I allowed to come in and finally give you a kiss for once?" The voice of another male filled the air and startled Yol out of his own mind.
"Polaris. How many times do I have to tell you I'm not into kisses from other stallions?" Yol's voice was quiet as he looked over to the feathered starry stallion.
"Oh, you're so cute when you're taking me serious." Polaris had a goofy grin on his face. "Working hard or hardly working?"
"Working steadily. I've got to finish watering the northern corner then check the south western garden for pests...I can't faulter now. One miss step could ruin the harvest. This is the most crucial part of the year. A bad early frost could kill everything." Once Yol started talking about his flowers it was hard to make him stop.
Polaris chucked. "Then it was a good thing I came to see you before any frost showed up!"
Yol raised a brow. "All the Whistle stallions have been told the harvest is still a few weeks out."
"We know! No no this is...More personal. If you could. A...Massive favour. I will woke for you next spring if you could help me." Polaris gave Yol pleading eyes.
The feathered male paused for moment as he thought about the words. "You know this is a lot of work."
"I'm well aware. I've thought long and hard about this but my time is something I will trade! I just...Need the most beautiful hair piece flowers you can muster right now." Polaris was hoping this would work.
"You know I can't give you first picks of flowers for Auroria. That's not how it works." Yol's voice was flat and unamused. This was a common tactic of the Stallions for their harpies.
"No it is not for my Wifey, though she would look stunning covered in your blooms. No, this is for my daughter." The dino male explained.
Yol blinked. "You have a daughter?"
"Two! Aria is fine. It's...My other daughter. My starlight Andromeda's eyes have gone dim with pain for she is flightless. She tries to hide it but as her father it is my job to look out for her, easy her pain. I wish to make her feel beautiful and I believe you can help! Simple no?" He spoke as if this was not a big problem.
Yol was clearly unsure. "Are you suppose to be doing this?"
"DETAILS! It will be fine I will take any problems that might arise! I just....Really need to make my daughter happy. That hidden pain in her eyes is always hard to look at. She might fool her mother but she can not fool me. Father's know best and all. So please. Next season my aid for your aid to make my daughter happy."
Yol took another moment and closed his eyes. This. Helping other feel beautiful. This was why he took up flowers. To make others smile.
He gave Polaris a little nod and wandered off into the fields. He carefully plucked a selection of flowers and leaves that he believed would make this sad mare happy. Once his collecting was finished he headed back and took the time to show Polaris how to weave each plant into the feathers of his mane. "-And lastly this orchid at the top will complete the head piece." Yol finished his explanation.
Polaris' eyes had tears of gratitude and joy within them. "Dearest Yolotli you are a saint among saints! My daughter will be...So happy." He sniffled.
"If I catch this on Auroria there will be problems coming your way."
"Never! I am a stallion of my word Yol! I will get this to my Starlight straight away. Thank you again! I will here bright and early for planting season." With that Polaris started to walk away with the basket of plants.
"You better." Yol let out a chuckle and shook his head. Yes. This is why he gardened.
Word Count: 1165
